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Sam Swanberg
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Sam Swanberg is a judge of the Benton/Franklin Superior Court in Washington. He was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee (D) on August 10, 2017, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Vic L. VanderSchoor. Swanberg had to run for election in 2018 to retain the seat past the end of his appointment.[1]
Swanberg was previously a candidate for the Position 2 seat on the Benton/Franklin Superior Court in 2016. He also applied for appointment to superior court vacancies in 2014 and 2015.[2][3]
Biography
Swanberg earned his bachelor's degree and J.D. from Brigham Young University. His professional experience includes work as a deputy prosecutor for Franklin County, an attorney in private practice, and a judge pro tem for the Pasco Municipal Court, the Benton County District Court, and the bicounty Juvenile Court.[1]
Elections
2016
Washington held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. Candidates for district and superior court seats had to file for election by May 20, 2016. Primary elections were held on August 2, 2016, for six seats where more than two candidates filed for election. Joe Burrowes defeated Sam Swanberg in the Benton/Franklin Superior Court nonpartisan general election for Position 2.[4]
| Benton/Franklin Superior Court, Position 2 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Joe Burrowes |
52.66% | 48,499 |
| Sam Swanberg | 47.34% | 43,603 |
| Total Votes | 92,102 | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election Results," accessed November 13, 2016 | ||
Selection method
For more information about judicial selection processes in each state, click here.
Campaign themes
2016
Swanberg's campaign website highlighted the following themes:
| “ |
Judges are merely attorneys in black robes. While the robe rightfully bestows power to interpret and apply the law, it does not grant power to create it. The authority to make law belongs to the legislative branch. Judicial overreach violates the separation of powers. It is imperative that our judges not only be highly experienced and respected attorneys, but must also possess the integrity to defend the Constitution. As your Superior Court Judge, I will use my 20 plus years of experience as a successful and respected trial lawyer to faithfully apply the law and defend our Constitution. [5] |
” |
| —Sam Swanberg (2016), [6] | ||
Additional themes
Swanberg provided the following statement for the Washington general election voters pamphlet:
| “ |
For over 23 years as a judge pro tem, prosecutor, defender, and private trial attorney, I have fought for justice in our Superior Courts. While immersing myself in over 3,000 serious cases including murder, rape, robbery, divorce, and custody, I have witnessed dysfunction within our legal system and have seen how poor judicial rulings ruin lives and prevent justice. As your Superior Court Judge, I will carefully apply the law without bias or favor ensuring justice is a reality, not merely an ideal. I will defend our Constitution, respect the principle of separation of powers, and not legislate from the bench. Former Congressman Doc Hastings, Prosecutors Andy Miller and Shawn Sant, all felony Deputy Prosecutors of Benton and Franklin Counties, many law enforcement officers and an overwhelming majority of Superior Court attorneys have encouraged and endorsed me because they need real Superior Court trial experience in our next Superior Court Judge. My wife, Stephanie, and I fell in love with the Columbia Basin over two decades ago and have a vested interest in the future of this community. I look forward to using my professional experience to bring the Superior Court a seasoned and qualified voice for justice.[7][5] |
” |
| —Sam Swanberg (2016) | ||
Endorsements
2016
Swanberg's campaign website listed the following endorsements:[8]
- Gene Astley, Former Benton County Republican Party Chair
- Maureen Astley, Franklin County Superior Court Deputy Prosecutor
- Kevin Besel, President of the Connell Chamber of Commerce
- Terry Boor, Benton County Superior Court Chief Deputy Prosecutor
- Teddy Chow, Franklin County Superior Court Deputy Prosecutor
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tri-City Herald, "Defense Attorney is Governor's Top Pick for Newest Tri-City Judge," August 10, 2017
- ↑ Tri-City Herald, "4 Attorneys Apply to Fill Vacancy on Benton-Franklin Superior Court," August 1, 2014
- ↑ Tri-City Herald, "Five Tri-City Lawyers Apply to Be Benton-Franklin Superior Court's Newest Judge," September 19, 2015
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 21, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Swanberg for Judge, "My Vision," accessed September 14, 2016
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Voters Pamphlet," accessed October 24, 2016
- ↑ Swanberg for Judge, "Endorsements," accessed September 14, 2016
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington
State courts:
Washington Supreme Court • Washington Court of Appeals • Washington Superior Court • Washington District Courts • Washington Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Washington • Washington judicial elections • Judicial selection in Washington
